Container pouring spout construction



July 25, 1961 E. P. cox ET AL CONTAINER POURING SPOUT CONSTRUCTION Filed March 31, 1958 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 IS -v INVENTORS Euwm- F. Cox

5 suwrv m m A! M D July 25, 1961 E. P. cox ETAL CONTAINER POURING SPOUT CONSTRUCTION 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed March 31, 1958 INVENTORS Eowm F? Cox DAVID G. EDWARDS 2,993,630 CONTAINER POURING SPOUT CONSTRUCTION Edwin P. Cox, Los Angeles, and David G. Edwards, Concord, Calif. Filed Mar. 31, 1958, Ser. No. 725,290 3 Claims. (Cl. 229-17) The present invention relates to gable topped containers of the general type disclosed in United States Patent No. 2,025,477 of Henry T. Scott and, more particularly, to such a container with an improved pouring spout construction incorporated therein. The invention finds particular, but not exclusive, utility in disposable containers which are widely used for retail distribution of milk and other dairy products.

The subject matter of the present application is akin to that of Carroll R. Alden reissue application Serial No. 634,597, filed January 16, 1957, and of the copending application of Herbert M. Kieckhefer Serial No. 331,- 666, filed January 16, 1953. The present application is a continuation-in-part of our copending application Serial No. 333,134, filed January 6, 1953 which is now abandoned.

A container of the foregoing type is usually made from a flat blank of sheet stock which has been impressed with an appropriate pattern of score lines, the latter de- [fining a plurality of side panels together with corresponding upper and lower panel extension flaps or closure members. A common procedure in setting up such a container is to form the blank into a tube open at both ends and then to close the lower or bottom panel extensions, retaining them in place by means of a suitable adhesive. The exposed surfaces of the container may then be coated or impregnated with a leakproof film, as by immersion in a bath of molten paraffin. Following this operation, the container may be filled with milk, or whatever other product is to be packaged therein, and the top sealed.

The general aim of the invention is to provide a container of the character set forth and having incorporated into its top end closure an extensible, sanitarily protected, pouring spout which is readily accessible and capable of being opened with ease for precise, dripless dispensing of the contents of the container.

A more specific object of the invention is to provide a gable topped container of the foregoing type wherein the top end closure is formed with frangible elements permitting partial disassembly of the same to provide access to a built-in, extensible pouring spout of pitcher-like form.

A further object is to provide a gable topped container of the character set forth and having suflicient strength to permit normal handling of the container prior to and after initial opening by the user.

Another object of the invention is to provide a blank of sheet material of such form as to be susceptible of being erected into a container of the character set forth above.

Other objects and advantageous features will become apparent as the following detailed description proceeds, taken together with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a plan view detailing the inside face of a flat blank from which the illustrative container described herein may be constructed.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary side elevation of an illustrative container embodying the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical sectional View taken through the top closure of the illustrative container and in the plane of the line 33 in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary perspective view showing the upper portion of the illustrative container embodying the present invention, and indicating in phantom lines the position of one of the top closure elements during initial opening of the container.

FIGS. 5 and 6 are fragmentary perspective views similar to FIG. 4 but showing sequentially additional steps in opening the container and placing the pouring spout in operative condition.

While the invention is susceptible of various modifications and alternative constructions, a certain illustrative embodiment has been shown in the drawings and will be described below in considerable detail. It should be understood, however, that there is no intention to limit the invention to the specific form disclosed, but, on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, alternative constructions and equivalents falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as expressed in the appended claims.

Referring in greater detail to FIGS. 4, 5 and 6, an illustrative container 10 is there shown embodying the present invention. The container 10 is self-sustaining in shape and may be formed from paperboard or other suitable sheet material coated or impregnated with an appropriate moistureproofing substance. The container 10 is of a general type which is widely used for milk and other dairy products and comprises a tubular body 11 of substantially square cross section surmounted by gable top end closure 12. The latter includes an upstanding, centrally located, top rib 14 of laminar construction having incorporated therein an extensible, sanitarily protected pouring spout which becomes readily accessible to the user upon manipulation of certain portions of the top closure. The container body 11 is also provided with an appropriate bottom closure, not shown, the details of which are of no immediate concern.

The container 10 in this instance is made from a flat blank 15 of high-grade paperboard, the inside face of such blank being illustrated in FIG. 1. The central and major area of the blank 15 ultimately becomes the body 11 of the container and is defined by spaced apart transverse score lines 16, 18 running in generally parallel relation across the face of the blank. A plurality of perpendicular score lines 19, 20, 21 and 22 intersect the score lines 16, 13 at spaced apart intervals on the face of the blank and thereby define container side panels 24, 25, 26 and 27, together with a glue flap 28. The glue flap in this case happens to be situated at the right-hand edge of the blank, as illustrated in FIG. 1, and when the container is erected the glue flap is adhesively secured in overlying relation with the inside face of the side panel 24. Connected to the lower edges of the container side panels along the lower transverse score line 18 are a plurality of bottom closure flaps 29, 30, 31, 32 which may be of any appropriate form.

Integral with the upper ends of the side panels but separated therefrom by the transverse score line 16 are a plurality of panel areas which serve to define the characteristic gable top closure of the container 10. These areas include a transverse score line 34 approximately parallel to the score line 16 and situated between the latter and the top edge of the blank 15. The areas below the line 34 define the roof panels and end panels of the top closure 12, while the areas above the line 34 define the parts of the laminar top rib 14.

Referring more specifically to FIG. 1, it will be noted that alternate side panels 24, 26 have respectively connected therewith inclined roof panels 35, 36. The latter, in turn, are connected with outer rib panels 38, 39 terminating, respectively, in tuck-in flap 4(} and fold-over flap 41. Similarly, alternate side panels 25, 27 have connected therewith along the transverse score line 16 triangular end panels 42, 44. The end panel 42 is flanked by triangular foldback panels 45, 46 connected thereto along converging score lines 48, 49 which start at the intersections between the corner score lines 19, 20 and the transverse score line 16, converging upwardly and intersecting at the transverse score line 34. Inner rib panels 50, 51 are connected to the panels 45, 46 along the score line 34 and are connected to each other along short vertical score line 52 which runs from the apex of the end panel 42 to the top edge of the blank. In like manner, the triangular end panel 44 is flanked by foldback panels 54, 55 connected thereto along converging score lines 56, 58. Foldback panels '54, 55 are connected to inner rib panels 59, 60 along the score line 34, the panels 59, 6% being connected with each other along score line 61.

The glue flap 28 also has integral panel areas 62, 64 which are included in the top closure. When the container 10 is erected, the extensions 62, 64, respectively, overlie the marginal edge portions of the inside faces of the roof panel 35 and the rib panel 38.

To transform the blank into the completed container 10 illustrated in FIG. 4, the blank is first folded upon itself to form a flat tube and the glue fiap 28 and its extensions are adhesively secured to the inside faces of the panels 24, 35 and 38 adjacent the left marginal edges thereof. The flat tube is then erected into one of square cross section and the bottom closure completed. If not moistureproofed earlier, the open container is coated or impregnated as by dipping in a bath of molten parafiin. The container is then filled and its top closure parts are infolded into gablelike form. During such operation, the tuck-in flap 40 is tucked between the infolded inner rib panels 51, 59 and the outer rib panel 39, reinforcing the top rib 14. By the same token, the foldover flap 41 is folded down against the outer face of the rib panel 38 (FIG. 3). The rib parts, being moistureproof coated, are then sealed in closed position by the application of heat and pressure against the outside faces of the rib 14. Such structure may be further reinforced, as by means of a staple 65 or by a high strength thermoplastic adhesive.

As indicated earlier herein, and illustrated in FIGS. 4, 5 and 6, an extensible, sanitarily protected pouring spout 66 of pitcher-like form is incorporated into the top closure of the container 10 and becomes accessible to the user upon partial disassembly of the laminar top rib 14. The spout 66 is also susceptible of being readily reclosed. In the present instance, the pouring spout 66 comprises the triangular end panel 42, triangular foldback panels 45, 46, inner rib panels 50, 51, adjacent portions of outer rib panels 38, 39, and adjacent portions of inclined roof panels 35, 36 (FIGS. 1, 4, 5 and 6). Operation of these adjacent portions with the other elements of the pouring spout 66 is facilitated by means of angular score lines 68, 69 situated in the roof panels and outer rib panels. As indicated in FIG. 1, the angular score line 68 commences at or adjacent the intersection of the score lines 16 and 19 and extends upwardly so as to terminate adjacent the top center of the laminar rib 14. Similarly, the angular score line 69 commences at or adjacent the intersection of the score lines 16 and 20 and extends upwardly to a terminal point adjacent the top center of the rib 14. With this construction, it will be appreciated that the pouring edge of the spout 66 and its adjacent marginal areas remain sealed within the laminar top rib 14 and are thereby given complete sanitary protection up to the time the container is initially opened by the user.

Provision is made for rendering the pouring spout 66 easily accessible to the user while maintaining adequate strength and sanitary protection in the top end closure. In furtherance of such objective, the laminar rib 14 is divided longitudinally into a fixed portion and a portion adapted for disassembly, the fixed portion having the staple 65 or an equivalent permanent adhesive juncture. Accordingly, it will be noted upon further reference to FIG. 1 that the tuck-in flap 40 is formed with a centrally located line of weakness 70 extending from fold line 71 to the free edge of the tuck-in flap 40. The line 70, in

this instance a vertical cut or slit, divides the tuck-in flap 40 into a fixed portion 40A and a manipulable portion 40B. By the same token, the fold-over flap 41 is formed with a centrally located line of weakness 72 extending from an upper end of the angular score line 69 to the free edge of the fold-over flap 41. The line 72 divides the fold-over flap 41 into a fixed portion 41A and a manipulable portion 41B. The line 72 may be defined by means of appropriate perforations or scoring enabling the fold-over flap 41 to be readily torn therealong by the user in opening the container.

With the container 10 in the unopened condition illustrated in FIG. 4, the first step in opening the same is to pull upwardly on unstapled, manipulable portion 41B of the fold-over flap 41. The portion 41B readily separates from the fixed portion 41A along the line of weakness 72. Next, the user grips foldback panel 45 and the overlying portion of the roof panel 35 with the thumb and forefinger of one hand, and at the same time grips the foldback panel 46 and the overlying portion of the roof panel 36 with the thumb and forefinger of the other hand, and pushes in opposite directions with both thumbs. The resulting spreading action breaks the moistureproof seal holding the manipulable portion 40B of the tuck-in flap to the adjacent rib panels, causing the manipulable portion 40B to separate along the line of Weakness 70 from the fixed portion 40A and to pull up into the position indicated in FIG. 5. Further backward bending of these elements, following by compression applied in an inward direction at the score lines 19 and 20, serves to expand the pouring spout 66 to the condition indicated in FIG. 6. Pouring may then be accomplished by tilting the container 10. It will be noted that this arrangement does not require the user to place his fingers or any implement in contact with the surfaces over which fluid passes when dispensed from the spout 66.

Reclosure of the container 10 and retraction of the pouring spout 66 may be effected very readily. To reclose the spout, it is only necessary for the user to press inwardly on the triangular end panel 42 and the spout and its component elements will snap back into their approximate original positions. The user may then tuck the fractional flap 40B back into its original position or, alternatively, fold it back on itself and bring the fractional flap 41B down over it.

In view of the foregoing, it will be appreciated that the container described above eminently satisfies the objectives set forth earlier herein. The container may conveniently be opened and reclosed by the application of fingertip pressures. In addition, the pouring spout is readily accessible to the user but sanitarily protected prior to initial opening of the container by the user. While certain elements of the container top closure have been weakened to facilitate access to the pouring spout, the top closure has adequate mechanical strength and is sufficiently fluidtight so as to avoid accidental opening or leakage prior to initial opening of the container.

We claim as our invention:

1. A gable top container of paperboard or the like having a moistureproof coating thereon, said container comprising the combination of a tubular body having a bottom closure thereon, a pair of opposed roof panels inclined toward each other and overlying said body, a pair of opposed triangular end panels infolded between said roof panels from the opposite gable ends formed by the latter, two pairs of triangular foldback panels each pair of which is integral with a respective one of said infolded triangular end panels, said foldback panels being folded against the undersides of said roof panels, a plurality of inner and outer rib panels surmounting said roof panels and said triangular end and foldback panels, said rib panels being sealed together by the moistureproof coating and defining a laminar top rib divided longitudinally into a fixed portion and a manipulable portion, a tuck-in flap connected along a fold line to one of said outer rib panels and folded in interlocking sandwiched relation between another one of said outer rib panels and said inner n'b panels, said tuck-in fiap having a centrally located line of weakness extending generally transversely from said fold line to the free edge of said tuck-in flap dividing the same into a fixed portion and a manipulable portion, a fold-over flap connected to said other outer rib panel and folded in overlying relation with the outside face of said one outer rib panel, said fold-over flap having a centrally located line of weakness extending from the top of said laminar rib to the free edge of said fold-over flap dividing the same into a fixed portion and a manipulable portion, means for securing the fixed portion of said top rib together and retaining the same intact, a sanitarily protected extensible pouring spout having its mouth situated in collapsed condition within said manipulable portion of said top rib and being defined in part by one of said triangular end panels and an adjacent pair of said foldback panels and an adjacent pair of said inner rib panels, said spout also being defined in part by adjacent portions of said roof panels and outer rib panels, said spout being accessible upon raising of the manipulable portion of said fold-over flap and breaking of the moistureproof seal permitting withdrawal of the manipulable portion of said tuck-in flap from the top rib as an incident to spreading of said foldback panels and roof panels adjacent said one triangular end panel.

2. A gable top container of paperboard or the like having a moistureproof coating thereon, said container comprising the combination of a tubular body having a bottom closure thereon, a pair of opposed roof panels inclined toward each other and overlying said body, a pair of opposed triangular end panels infolded between said roof panels from the opposite gable ends formed by the latter, two pairs of triangular foldback panels each pair of which is integral with a respective one of said infolded triangular end panels, said foldback panels being folded against the undersides of said roof panels, a plurality of inner and outer rib panels surmounting said roof panels and said triangular end and foldback panels, said rib panels being sealed together by the moistureproof coating and defining a laminar top rib divided longitudinally into a fixed portion and a manipulable portion, a tuck-in flap connected along a fold line to one of said outer rib panels and folded in interlocking sandwiched relation between another one of said outer rib panels and said inner rib panels, said tuck-in flap having a vertical cut extending generally normally from the central region of said fold line to the free edge of said tuck-in flap dividing the same into a fixed portion and a manipulable portion, the latter being adapted to become manipulable upon breaking of the moistureproof seal holding the same to said rib panels, a fold-over flap connected to said other outer rib panel and folded in overlying relation with the outside face of said one outer rib panel, said fold-over flap having a vertical perforation line extending from the top central region of said laminar rib to the free edge of said fold-over flap dividing the same into a fixed portion and a manipulable portion, a mechanical fastener situated in the fixed portion of said top rib for securing the same together and retaining it intact, and a sanitarily protected extensible pouring spout having its mouth situated in collapsed condition within said manipulable portion of said top rib and being defined in part by one of said triangular end panels and an adjacent pair of said foldback panels and an adjacent pair of said inner rib panels, said spout also being defined in part by adjacent portions of said roof panels and outer rib panels.

3. A blank for a .gable top container of paperboard or the like, said blank comprising, in combination, a plurality of body side panels and a glue flap connected together along spaced apart perpendicular score lines, a plurality of bottom closure panels connected to said side panels along a first transverse score line, a pair of roof panels connected to alternate ones of said body side panels along a second transverse score line, a pair of triangular end panels connected respectively to the remaining body side panels along said second transverse score line, two pairs of triangular foldback panels each pair of which is integral with a respective one of said triangular end panels, said foldbock panels being adapted to fold against the undersides of said roof panels, a plurality of inner and outer rib panels connected to said roof panels and said triangular end and foldback panels along a third transverse score line, said rib panels being adapted to define a laminar top rib divided longitudinally into a fixed portion and a manipulable portion, a tuck-in flap connected along a fold line to one of said outer rib panels and having a centrally located slit extending in a generally normal direction from said fold line to approximately the free edge of said tuck-in flap dividing the same into a fixed portion and a manipulable portion, a fold-over flap connected to said other outer rib panel and having a centrally located line of weakness extending from the top of said other outer rib panel to the free edge of said fold-over flap dividing the same into a fixed portion and a manipulable portion, one of said triangular end panels and an adjacent pair of said foldback panels and an adjacent pair of said inner rib panels and adjacent portions of said roof panels and outer rib panels being adapted to define an extensible pouring spout.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,198,119 Krengel Apr. 23, 1940 2,321,139 Gruger June 8, 1943 2,336,503 Ringler Dec. 14, 1943 2,362,862 Sidebotham Nov. 14, 1944 2,634,896 Graveno Apr. 14, 1953 2,750,095 Alden June 12, 1956 FOREIGN PATENTS 95,342 Sweden Apr. 5, 1939 

